Ahmedabad's effort to manage stray cattle is yielding a positive environmental benefit. Waste generated at municipal cattle shelters is being converted into biogas and electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cutting costs.
Biogas Production from Cattle Dung
Dung from stray cattle at Karuna Mandirs located in Bakrol and Danilimda produces 2,800 kg of dung daily. This waste is used to generate 46 kg of biogas and 35 units of electricity every day. Workers at these shelters use the gas for cooking, while the electricity powers facility needs.
Scaling Up the Model
The larger facility in Bakrol spans 50,000 square meters and houses around 750 cattle. These animals generate about 2,800 kg of dung each day. To utilize this waste, the civic body has installed two biogas plants, each with a capacity of one tonne. Officials report that roughly 1,000 kg of dung is required daily to produce biogas, yielding approximately 46 kg of gas and 35 units of electricity per day. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) set up a special plant to generate biogas and electricity from this dung.
Policy Implementation
Municipal commissioner Banchha Nidhi Pani stated that the initiative is part of the 'Stray Cattle Nuisance Prevention and Control Policy' introduced in 2023. The policy aims to tackle the growing problem of stray cattle on city streets by relocating animals to shelters where veterinary staff and caretakers manage their upkeep.
Benefits and Savings
CNCD head Naresh Rajput noted that the biogas produced at the Bakrol shelter runs the kitchen. Around 32 workers and their families rely on this fuel for cooking. Officials said the switch has completely eliminated the need for about 27 LPG cylinders every month, saving approximately Rs 10,350 monthly in electricity costs.
By-Products and Employment
The project also utilizes by-products. Slurry from the biogas process is used as fertilizer for plantations. Additionally, dung-based products such as sticks are made and distributed free to temples for rituals like Vedic Holi, homa-havan, and Ramroti. This activity has created employment for 13 workers.
Expansion Plans
A similar model operates at Karuna Mandir in Danilimda, where around 350 cattle produce about 1,700 kg of dung daily. A biogas plant there also generates gas and electricity from the waste. Officials are now exploring ways to expand the model further. Plans include using surplus vegetables from nearby markets along with dung to boost biogas production and increase energy output.
